Author Topic: JOYSTICK TO BUY ADVICE (Read 639 times)

batdog · « **on:** March 21, 2001, 10:43:00 AM »

Gonna go out in about 2hrs and buy me a new stick. I want to get pedals... whats a good stick to get. I have a MS Sidewinder 3D Pro now and i think its gonna get tossed through my wall soon... I have also heard that pedals make a diff with your flight more here than in AW3 FR...? Advice?

batdog

Ripsnort · « **Reply #1 on:** March 21, 2001, 11:16:00 AM »

use the search tool at the top of the page, under this forum, lots of threads regarding sticks, and which are best..

rosco- · « **Reply #2 on:** March 21, 2001, 12:42:00 PM »

Dont know what you want to spend but i recently got CH usb pedals and used em with my sidewinder for a couple weeks untill my Saitek X36 got here. This is a winning combo, USB, and the only usb throttle i might add ,2 8 way hats, lots of buttons. Im very happy with this setup, I cant believe i flew with a twisty as long as i did. Its unreal how much more controll you get with a HOTAS with rudders compared to a twisty stick. It took me a good 2 weeks to get accustomed to it but it was well worth it. Death to the twisty!

Nuku · « **Reply #3 on:** March 25, 2001, 01:05:00 AM »

Yep, toss the MS Sidewinder 3D Pro. The thing is confirmed not to work with high-end systems (those systems with mainboard bus speeds of 100Mhz+). You'll get "Not Connected" status regardless if the thing is plugged in or not.

I recently upgraded to a P3-800 with a MB with a 133Mhz bus, and ported my MS 3D Pro along from my older system, but alas, pppth. Nothing.

Microsoft confirms the problem as Q236113 (search for "Sidewinder Pro" in their knowledge base). However, the optical tracking technology worked great: no drift for the 5 years I've had the thing.

Time to upgrade I guess. I wonder what other peripherals are incompatible with the latest gen hardware?

[This message has been edited by Nuku (edited 03-25-2001).]

Sancho · « **Reply #4 on:** March 25, 2001, 05:43:00 AM »

FWIW, my MS SW3d pro worked *flawlessly* in Win2k, never ever giving me the "not connected" message, like it had in Win98. I finally gave up on that stick after it got really worn and loose and my deadband was set ridiculously large. Now I'm using Saitek Cyborg USB with CH pro pedals. Was a tough transition from the twisty stick to pedals but I'm liking it a lot now.

"My name is Sancho. I am an Aces High addict."

Nuku · « **Reply #5 on:** March 25, 2001, 09:07:00 PM »

How is the Saitek Cyborg anyways? Does it use an optical-tracking device or analog potentiometers?

Drift and jitter are two things that annoy me the most about analog-pot joysticks; and even the high-end stuff wears out in a year. The MS Sidewinder's optical tracking was a dream come true for me. I don't think I'll ever go back to a stick that uses analog pots.

Sancho · « **Reply #6 on:** March 26, 2001, 07:26:00 AM »

I honestly don't know if the Cyborg uses digital mechanism or not--maybe someone else can answer that. I have noticed no spiking or drifting on mine and so far it seems like a solid stick--control is at least as good as on my old SW was when it was new. I like it. For me, it was a good choice since it is cheap and reconfigurable for left handers.

"My name is Sancho. I am an Aces High addict."

[This message has been edited by Sancho (edited 03-26-2001).]

Pollock · « **Reply #7 on:** March 26, 2001, 11:31:00 AM »

I have been using the Saitek X36 USB for almost a year now and have to say it was the best investment for me to play this game. I also use Thrustmaster elite pedals. The major plus with the X36 is the Gaming extensions software. The main benefit is a complete HOTAS (hands on throttle and stick)
If you can deal with the annoying little bugs in set up that some people have this a well worthy investment. My current configuration has me using the keyboard to type messages only all functions of the game are set to the stick and throttle. I reccomend if you buy one look at your local Best Buy and spend the extra 20 dollars for the 2 year replacement warrenty.

batdog · « **Reply #8 on:** March 28, 2001, 06:44:00 AM »

I went and purchased a MS 3D pro with USB. I like it alot. I'm considering some pedals as well...

batdog

Holder · « **Reply #9 on:** March 28, 2001, 04:01:00 PM »

Okay I'll toss in my opinion as everyone here is a Saitek fan. I've used plain CH pedals for two years with a Logitech Wingman Warrior. A great combination over the years, but the Warrior will soon be put to pasture on my old computer. What to replace it with?

Well I looked at Saitek and found on the internet A LOT of complaints and problems associated with their high-end gear. Many people could not get it to function and had to return it (which was not a problem). So, as I can run CH pedals on the game card and a stick on the USB port I'm going back to good old Logitech for a Wingman 3D. Good solid stick, 1 8-way hat, 7 other buttons (1 is the trigger) and a throttle. Just tighten down the twisty action screw and enable pedals in the setup. Voila, not real fancy, but more than adequate. Cost is $60 Can (~$35US).

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Holder
416 RCAF "The Lynx"